A Memorable Birthday

Andrew has given me permission to be 30 another year!

I was greeted with a cup of coffee in bed this morning and even managed to down a few sips before the children barged in to greet me. They cheerfully brought me all my gifts and helped me with the arduous chore of unwrapping.

I enjoyed a conversation with my mom (Happy Anniversary!) and endured Andrew's screams as Stephen chased him with a hacksaw.

We went to a local bookstore to hear stories and meet a real, live, 3-legged possum. The kids were most interested in the fact that it releases a green substance from its bottom when it feels threaten or scared. I should have thought with the crowd of toddlers & preschoolers in attendance it would have at least lived up to its name.

Matthew passed out before we got home so I gingerly placed him in bed. Deedle deedle dumpling, my son John, went to bed with his stockings on.

One shoe off, one shoe on. Deedle, deedle dumpling, my son John.

My dad (Happy Anniversary!) called at noon, and I was able to have a pleasant and peaceful conversation as the boys devoured their lunches.

We usually have a "rest time" after lunch, if only for the sake of my sanity. Lately the boys have been listening to a book on tape to while away the time. Today I offered a library copy of Charlotte's Web but they declared it "too scary" and chose our own story of Winnie-the-Pooh. A fortunate choice since here lies the remainder of (ironically) "Eeyore Has a Birthday."

I called my in-laws to thank them for a beautiful flower arrangement they sent and tried to ignore Andrew's shrieks as Stephen chased him around the yard.

The boys built a road with scrap lumber outside and Matthew roamed collecting sticks.

I made a batch of wheat/egg/milk/soy/nut free brownies with peppermint as celebratory sweet.

I enjoyed well-wishes from my niece and a nephew. While talking to my sister I refereed a disturbance between my two eldest children. Seems one (who shall remain nameless) was a using a stick to beat the other.

Doug finally returned home just after 6 to a lovely, birthday-girl-prepared meal of Mad-Pasta with Shrimp which he devoured and then removed all the children outdoors while I cleaned the kitchen.

Now I think I shall watch my newly acquired copy of The Princess Bride.